BIOCHEMISTRY
cod. 00061

Academic year 2016/17
2° year of course - First semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Biochimica (BIO/10)
Field
Discipline della sanità animale
Type of training activity
Characterising
47 hours
of face-to-face activities
6 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in ITALIAN

Learning objectives

The target of this course is to lead the student to basic knowledge and understanding of the structure and function relationship among biological macromolecules and of the energetic metabolism of euchariotic cells and animal tissues. A particular interest will be devoted to the understanding of energy production, utilization and storing in order to sollicit students to apply their knowledge on questions typically of today’s interest such as the basal metabolism of living organisms and some physiologycal functions such as (hormone regulations of metabolism, the mechanism of muscular contraction, etc.). Matter of great interest is also the energetic metabolism in relation with oxygen utilization. Moreover, a large part of lessons will be devoted to the issue of oxygen deprivation in different animal systems and living conditions. At the end of this course and with the knowledge acquired by other course as physics, anatomy and general and organic chemistry, the student should demonstrate by means of his learning skills, the ability of making judgements, communication skills, which is the termodynamic impact that the energetic need of living systems may exert on our ecosystem.

Prerequisites

Physiscs, gen. chemistry

Course unit content

Structure and function of molecules and macromolecules of biological interest: Mono and polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, DNA and RNA. Metabolism: Glicolysis and Glicogenolysis, Krebs cycle, respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation, ATP and other high energy-content molecules.

Full programme

Structure and function of amino acids and proteins, DNA and protein synthesis, lipids and mono- and poly-saccharides. A deep attention is devoted to protein functions in enzymatic activity, hormonal regulation, muscular contraction, respiratory system and oxygen transportation. Glucose, glycogen and fatty acids metabolism. Mitochondria and ATP synthesis.
A particular attention will be dedicated to the issue of energetics and of thermodynamic of biological systems.

Bibliography

Biochimica (IV ediz)
(PICCIN)

Mathews, ecc.

Teaching methods

Oral lessons

Assessment methods and criteria

Written tests during the course, and oral exam at the end that should enable to verify student's understanding of the content of the course and the skill to make linkages with other disciplines

Other information

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